around our towns

Former councilman dies

Former Lee’s Summit councilman John M. Smith died Oct. 16 at home.

Smith, 74, served on the council from 1995 to 2000, when he and now-Mayor Randy Rhoads both represented District 2.

Rhoads said Smith, who had been a reserve police officer, was a big supporter of public safety and economic development. The mayor said he admired that Smith, who often had strong opinions, attacked the issues but not the person.

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Rain gardens part of Raymore settlement with EPA

The Enviromental Protection Agency has reached an administrative settlement with Raymore to resolve stormwater violations under the Clean Water Act.

Under the settlement, the EPA said, the city will pay a $22,000 penalty, install rain gardens along a tributary to the South Grand River and comply with its permit regulations.

The rain gardens, estimated to cost $15,800, will reduce erosion and pollutants, while filtering roadway runoff before it goes into the stream.

EPA investigations faulted Raymore on a number of fronts. Among them were failing to develop a comprehensive plan for managing stormwater, and failing to properly carry out a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into the city’s storm sewer system.

Eastbound Woods Chapel closed at I-470

Eastbound Woods Chapel Road over Interstate 470 closed this week for about 30 days for bridge rehabilitation.

Eastbound traffic will detour south to the Strother Road interchange at I-470, or north to the Bowlin Road interchange at I-470.

The westbound lanes of Woods Chapel Road over I-470 and all ramps at the interchange will remain open.

Once eastbound work is completed, eastbound Woods Chapel will reopen.

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to either immediately close westbound Woods Chapel for similar work on that side, or delay that work until spring, depending on winter weather. All ramps will remain open.

Winter homes tour

The Kansas City Symphony Guild will hold its Homes of Note Tour Nov. 12 at the Homes of Tiffany Greens.

This is the 40th annual anniversary tour for the Guild.

Homes will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 12.

The homes on the tour are the Beatty Home at 10631 N. Dalton Ave.; the Cremer home at 10540 N. Dalton Ave.; and the Stitt-McGraw home at 5902 N.W. 104th Terrace. All are in Kansas City, North.

A holiday boutique will be open for Christmas shopping at the Tiffany Greens Community Center, 10401 N. St. Clair.

Tickets are $15 at www.kcsymphonyguild.org or $20 at the door.

Halloween fun in Raymore

From 6 to 9 p.m., guests will enjoy pumpkin decorating, face painting, s’mores and cocoa by the fire, and a pumpkin derby racetrack. Once darkness falls, guests can board wagons for the evening’s main attraction: haunted hayrides.

For more adventurous souls, a second haunted attraction will be available, weather permitting, via a fog-enveloped walking trail that hosts even more horrific frights.

Admission to the event is $5 per person, and guests are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and sturdy walking shoes. Children ages 3 and under are free.